- Police launch manhunt
The police in Osun State have launched a manhunt for the criminals who shot dead four persons at Ido Ayegunle.
Confirming the incident, the state police command said that armed men stormed the community, setting buildings ablaze and destroying personal property, including motorcycles, generators, and streetlights.
It said the attackers who came on motorcycles around 10 a.m., fled the scene before security operatives arrived.
Tension between the neighboring Esa Oke, and Ido Ayegunle communities have been high since January, following the appointment of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle by the Osun State Government.
While the perpetrators of Friday’s attack have not been officially identified, Chief Ibironke Adebusuyi, the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, alleged that the attackers came from Esa Oke.
“They were about 100 in number, masked, but we recognized some of them. They attacked our people, killed four, and mutilated their bodies. The corpses were thrown into a well and covered with heavy stones.
“We’re still searching for two missing persons. The confirmed dead have been deposited at Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa.”
Chief Adebusuyi called on the state government to take urgent action and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In response, the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, denied any involvement by his community and challenged the accusers to provide evidence.
“I know nothing about the incident. Let those making accusations come forward with proof,” the monarch said.
Oba Adediran was reportedly seen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Friday, where he met with Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan to discuss the crisis.
Giving an update, police spokesperson SP Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the deaths and damage, linking the violence to an ongoing boundary dispute between the two communities.
“It’s a continuation of an earlier conflict. Our men responded swiftly, but the suspects fled. Four people were killed, likely due to delays in receiving medical help. Several homes and properties were destroyed,” Ojelabi said.
